Downtown Disney update

[lebeau]

Not sure where you live but I have a handfull of Open Air malls from Tampa to the Orlando area. They are nice but I would not consider them entertaining or have an ombiance that DTD does.

I may not be the best judge because I don't like strip malls. If I had to visit a strip mall, DTD would be high on my list. Yes, it's nicer than what we have locally. But not by all that much. Not enough to make it a destination when I am on an expensive vacation.

We still visit DTD. But only because there is nothing else to do when you're trapped on property. It's basically a cheap way to kill time when you're not at the parks. Adding more shop and restautants (no matter how nice) won't change that. There has to be something else.

 

[Vader2112]

I may not be the best judge because I don't like strip malls. If I had to visit a strip mall, DTD would be high on my list. Yes, it's nicer than what we have locally. But not by all that much. Not enough to make it a destination when I am on an expensive vacation.

We still visit DTD. But only because there is nothing else to do when you're trapped on property. It's basically a cheap way to kill time when you're not at the parks. Adding more shop and restautants (no matter how nice) won't change that. There has to be something else.

Well that was my general point initially...DTD is a place many "locals" like to go not everything Disney does is geared to just the tourist set as they have a rather large captive audience. Plus not many malls have attractions like La Nouba, House of Blues or a Disney Quest. I never stated that it is the Premier attraction of WDW. It is a fun place to hang out and get a few drinks or maybe a few gifts for folks back home. DTD is far from a strip mall that palgues suburban America. What else should they add? I can see a theater that runs some of Disney's Broadway shows as one poster suggested or a revitalized PI.

 

[djlaosc]

DTD plans are being finalized. Hopefully soon they will announce something and the new DTD will SPRING to life!

So does that mean that we have to wait another 8-11 months for an announcement, or that it will be finished in 8-11 months?

 

[lebeau]

Well that was my general point initially...DTD is a place many "locals" like to go not everything Disney does is geared to just the tourist set as they have a rather large captive audience. Plus not many malls have attractions like La Nouba, House of Blues or a Disney Quest. I never stated that it is the Premier attraction of WDW. It is a fun place to hang out and get a few drinks or maybe a few gifts for folks back home. DTD is far from a strip mall that palgues suburban America. What else should they add? I can see a theater that runs some of Disney's Broadway shows as one poster suggested or a revitalized PI.

But that's my point. It's really not. It is a strip mall. It's just a really nice one + a Cirque show. I can kill a day at any one of our lifestyle centers just as easily and a lot more cheaply.

If the locals enjoy it, that's great. But Disney still needs to offer something more compelling for all those guests who are trapped on property with nothing to do in the evening.

 

[Vader2112]

But that's my point. It's really not. It is a strip mall. It's just a really nice one + a Cirque show. I can kill a day at any one of our lifestyle centers just as easily and a lot more cheaply.

If the locals enjoy it, that's great. But Disney still needs to offer something more compelling for all those guests who are trapped on property with nothing to do in the evening.

I understand what you are saying to a point. Prior to living here I never found a lack of things to do in the evening at WDW. Usually too tired or going to a late dinner but then again that was before children. Eliminating PI took away a great deal from DTD I do not deny.

 

[c-one]

If current trends hold they'll probably gut Adventurers Club and put in a Bass Pro Shops.

 

[John]

But that's my point. It's really not. It is a strip mall. It's just a really nice one + a Cirque show. I can kill a day at any one of our lifestyle centers just as easily and a lot more cheaply.

If the locals enjoy it, that's great. But Disney still needs to offer something more compelling for all those guests who are trapped on property with nothing to do in the evening.

I agree we have a Mall near me that has

Dave & Busters Sports Cafe
Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament
Bass Pro Shop
Cinemark Egyptian 24 Theater that completely blows away AMC
Costco
A Casino....yes I said Casino!
Last but least...A disney Store
Among probably hundreds of other stores..might not have Cirque but it would match up to DTD anyday. For me there was NOWHERE else I have experienced anything like PI. Sure their are entertainment districts all over but nothing as unique as PI was.

The name of the mall....Arundel Mills Mall

 

[Jim Handy]

I really dislike the parking there.

I hope you like parking garages. Because if Raven is correct and not just trolling, then parking garages are in our future.

 

[c-one]

I hope you like parking garages. Because if Raven is correct and not just trolling, then parking garages are in our future.

In order to free up more ground space for actual development, I hope?

 

[John]

In order to free up more ground space for actual development, I hope?

Wont matter much to the average guest but locals might have a problem with it....I think if they build a garage they willprobably start chargeing to park.

 

[Jeffxz]

I dont know if DTD has the same option as the parks, but maybe they just have purchases sent right to their hotel room (if they are on property)

Is room delivery still available? I think the last time I tried to have this done, they said they would only send it to the gift shop at my hotel.

 

[COProgressFan]

Is room delivery still available? I think the last time I tried to have this done, they said they would only send it to the gift shop at my hotel.

No more room delivery (unless you are staying in concierge, I think). That ended years ago.

It was definitely a cutback, though at the same time there were many unscrupulous people claiming their packages never arrived. When you pick it up at the gift shop, you have to sign for it.

 

[jt04]

Wont matter much to the average guest but locals might have a problem with it....I think if they build a garage they willprobably start chargeing to park.

You say that like it is a bad thing.

I would expect some sort of validated parking where it would be free with certain purchases or tickets.

 

[Vader2112]

Wont matter much to the average guest but locals might have a problem with it....I think if they build a garage they willprobably start chargeing to park.

I would not after this past Saturday...Wow Parking was a nightmare. If it added some new unique things all for it!

 

[Vader2112]

I agree we have a Mall near me that has

Dave & Busters Sports Cafe
Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament
Bass Pro Shop
Cinemark Egyptian 24 Theater that completely blows away AMC
Costco
A Casino....yes I said Casino!
Last but least...A disney Store
Among probably hundreds of other stores..might not have Cirque but it would match up to DTD anyday. For me there was NOWHERE else I have experienced anything like PI. Sure their are entertainment districts all over but nothing as unique as PI was.

The name of the mall....Arundel Mills Mall

Pleasure Island is missed by all!!!!

 

[Jim Handy]

In order to free up more ground space for actual development, I hope?

Significant expansion plans call for expansion on existing parking surfaces that would result in a parking structure.

 

[c-one]

Works for me. Now here's hoping that significant expansion is fun and interesting and unique and not just more third-party theme restaurants and shops...

 

[c-one]

Wont matter much to the average guest but locals might have a problem with it....I think if they build a garage they willprobably start chargeing to park.

I'd say you're probably right -- I like the validated parking idea, though. Combine that with an expansion and it might help reduce the body-crush crowds that have been discussed. I almost never take a car on vacation so the logistics of parking mean little to me personally.

 

[zulemara]

oh come now, some of us are reasonable. I love the Splittsville idea, but I don't love a bunch of empty buildings. All I really want is a comedy venue and a dance club back, be it 8 trax or MDP, I don't care, but something with a consistent format. No more ADH perpetual wedding formats please. Beyond that, I don't really care, that's all I want.

And yet, despite the little details we get, I've never gotten a direct answer to my question of if there will be any dance clubs. Heck I'd be ok if they had a restaurant by day, dance club by night combo if it played MDP or 8-trax music.

 

[Mouse Detective]

Works for me. Now here's hoping that significant expansion is fun and interesting and unique and not just more third-party theme restaurants and shops...

But if they can't get third-party restaurants and shops to sign up for the spaces already available on Pleasure Island, how do they think they can fill up a Downtown Disney that is three times as large as what they have now?